Awakening from Addiction

Talking about Myself in Thai

My goal for the remaining couple of months of my challenge is to prepare for a YouTube video where I talk about my experiences at Wat Thamkrabok (a Thai temple where people go to get help with addiction problems). I understand that not everyone is going to be interested in hearing about this type of adventure, but it is something I feel passionate about, and I’ve learned that following my passion is the best way to stay motivated.

Talking about Thamkrabok

Wat Thamkrabok is a detox temple located in Saraburi. I ended up there eight years ago in a desperate attempt to quit alcohol. I was an extreme alcohol enthusiast from a young age. I entered my first rehab at age 19, and I was in and out of treatment programs like a yo-yo for years afterwards – at one point I even ended up living on the streets. I had almost lost all hope of recovery when I discovered the unique treatment program at Thamkrabok. I tell the story of what happened to me there in my book Dead Drunk.

So why do I feel this need to tell my story in Thai? I remember back in 2006 desperately searching for solutions for my drinking problem. I was living in village in Phitsanulok at the time, and I felt certain I was going to die there. I’d already been told my liver had been damaged a few years before that, and I was expecting the worst. Every night, I would go online looking for answers, but I kept on getting the same advice – the stuff I already knew wouldn’t work for me. My search felt completely futile, just something I did when I was drunk, but then I came across a web forum where somebody mentioned Thamkrabok. I arranged to go there the next day, and for the first time in years I felt hope.

There are thousands of YouTube videos about addiction available in English but very few of them are in Thai. Most Thai people seem to know what Thamkrabok is already, but there isn’t much information about what actually happens there, and more importantly, what happens afterwards. It would be better if there were Thai people making this type of video but there just isn’t. By sharing my experience, I can feel like I did my bit. Even if nobody ever benefits from hearing about my experiences, I’ll still benefit from the act of sharing it.

Beginning of My Thamkrabok Story

I’ve been working on my talk about Thamkrabok for about two weeks. I’ve made an audio recording of what I’ve done so far, so I can get some feedback from you guys. Here is the transcript, and you’ll find the audio below.

I do that too. Before I jump I try to look. I think it is a great idea to let the Thai addicts who are interested what to expect when they go to Thamkrabok. It will help alleviate some of their anxiety.
In the US even addiction specialists cannot agree on a definition for alcoholism or even a treatment. If it is the same for the Thai people having some information may embolden them to go.
I had to try to control myself many times before I finally knew I had to just quit. People who suspect they have a problem with alcohol almost certainly do. So the quicker we can get them through the phase of trying to control themselves and into the phase of “I gotta quit” the sooner they can have their life back. If your information, done in the Thai language will get them in there, wonderful.